However, if he doesn’t get to hold an official position, he won’t overstep his bounds and ddle in governnt affairs.
Xu Qing: "Teacher ans that the Grand Secretary holds him in high regard, but once Elder Liang arrives, it’s possible that he will be dismissed lightly."
Feng Xifeng: "You’re the one who stirred up such a big incident, whether or not you can be dismissed lightly seems to depend more on you."
Xu Qing: "Teacher overestimates . However, what to do next still depends on how they act."
"What do you an by this?"
Xu Qing smiled, "A guest will soon arrive at my family’s ho, I must go back."
"Go ahead, sotis you act neither respectfully nor humbly."
Feng Xifeng was speechless when he saw Xu Qing switch between addressing him as "Teacher" and referring to himself as "son-in-law"; truly it revealed he was beyond words.
However, the less formal Xu Qing was, the better his relationship seed to be with the Feng Family. He was soone not bound by conventional etiquette, and indeed he preferred this way of getting along.
One needs to put on a facade while serving as an official, so one should at least act "human" at ho, to relax oneself.
Xu Qing left the Imperial Censor’s Governnt Office directly, then summoned Su Lianqing.
"During these days, have you recorded all the Clerks from the Governnt and the County Governnt who have shown resentnt?"
"All have been docunted, but it’s uncertain if there are any who have complaints in their hearts," Su Lianqing said with a smile.
Xu Qing: "Don’t worry about these. These people eat our food, and the mont they are not fed well, they think of smashing the pot; that’s not how cheap it is. This is just the right opportunity to replace them with our own loyal people."
His expression turned cold.
It seed he had been too lenient with these people previously; all of them thought they could take advantage whenever they wanted.
Su Lianqing felt quite excited.
She had long felt that the young master’s actions were not drastic enough. Those crafty Clerks, who sway like straws in the wind, were utterly untrustworthy.
It was just the right opportunity to have a bloodletting.
...
...
The news also quickly reached Jiangning Prefecture.
In Jiangning Prefecture, a sect of scholars led by Scholar Hu were suddenly stricken with grief upon hearing the edict requested by the Grand Secretary.
"What should we do..." At that mont, rchant Ding was at a complete loss.
Scholar Hu said bitterly, "It’s all your fault for being so weak at the ti, leaving Xu Gongming with leverage. Now I’m afraid it’s going to be a big disaster."
"Why didn’t the people at Court speak up for us?"
"I’ve received news that the Grand Secretary now intends to ’asure all the lands under heaven.’ The Court enjoys making compromises and may be willing to sacrifice us for the Grand Secretary’s concession."
"How could they do this?"
A group of local gentry well-versed in Court politics all understood the destructive power of Xu Qing’s recent move. Everyone realized that even if Elder Liang, a moderate, were dispatched, given their understanding of Xu Qing, following the edict requested by the Grand Secretary, Xu Qing would certainly not let bygones be bygones.
Because Xu Qing had already torn his face with them.
If it were them, would they leave any room?
Certainly, they would fight to the death.
"This ti, all of you go to apologize and cooperate with the land asurent," Scholar Hu knew the stakes and decided to surrender.
The land asurent was rely a matter of taxes, but if they were truly charged with the cri of deceiving the monarch, the entire family would be finished. While the power of the gentry throughout the land was considerable, all of Jiangning Prefecture’s scholars combined were, in the eyes of the Court, insignificant.
"Eh, you’re giving in just like that?" Although the other local gentry were daunted, they’d not expected Old Hu to capitulate so quickly.
They had hoped that Old Hu would stand firm, only then could they demonstrate their value in surrendering to Xu Qing.
Never mind, it’s a good outco if everyone surrenders.
This way, the loss is shared among all.
Scholar Hu had no choice but to open up about the situation first; who knew what nonsense these pig-headed allies could stir up. Just bear it for half a year.
Once Xu Gongming goes to the Capital to take the examination, they could rest easy.
Such a person couldn’t possibly always muddle along in the shallow pond of Jiangning Prefecture.
"Hmph, Xu Gongming, once you get to the Capital, I don’t believe you’ll still be able to call the shots," Scholar Hu thought to himself. Xu Qing’s temperant would sooner or later hit a wall.
Just watch as he builds high towers, watch as he entertains guests, and watch when his towers collapse.
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